Zee Media Bureau/Sushmita Dutta
Panaji: Hitting hard the previous UPA government for pushing the Indian economy into shambles, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday warned of taking some bold decisions, ahead of the commencement of Budget Session of Parliament, to improve country`s economy adding that it may not go down well with some sections.
Addressing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) members here, PM said, “Taking tough decisions and strong measures in the coming one or two years are needed to bring financial discipline which will restore and boost the country`s self-confidence.”
“I have a special association with Goa, since I was the in-charge of elections here in the past,” he added.
Adding that due to such bold steps the country-men may start to dislike him, PM Modi said such steps are necessary, adding, “I am well aware that my steps may dent the immense love that the country has given to me. But when my countrymen would realise that these steps would result in getting the financial health back, then I will regain that love.”
PM further said, "If these tough measures were not taken, the financial situation would not improve. We need to take action wherever required."
“We will have to take tough and bitter financial decisions to put the country on the path to good fiscal health,” Modi said, adding that financial prudence was top priority.
This is the first occasion in less than three weeks since taking over reins of power that Modi has made sharply critical comments on the previous Manmohan Singh government`s performance.
"I have taken over the reins of the country in circumstances when there is nothing left behind by the previous government. They left everything empty. The country`s financial health has hit the bottom," PM Modi said.
However, in the short run, such measures may not go down well with everybody, he said.
PM added, “Nation cannot progress if states are not strong and developed.”
"We won`t be helping the country by praising Modi and praising BJP. There is no guarantee that just singing praise of Modi would improve the situation. We need to take harsh measures to improve the financial situation," he said, PTI reported.
Along with PM Modi, Goa CM Manohar Parrikar, Tourism Minister Sripad Naik and MoS Defence, Rao Inderjit Singh were present here in the function.
Shortly later, PM Modi posted on the micro blogging site Twitter - “Thank you Goa for the warm welcome. Glad that I made my first official visit outside Delhi to Goa & that too to dedicate INS Vikramaditya.”
Thank you Goa for the warm welcome. Glad that I made my first official visit outside Delhi to Goa & that too to dedicate INS Vikramaditya.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 14, 2014
In another post he said - “Also addressed Goa BJP Karyakartas. Assured them that there is a Government in Delhi that they will be very proud of!”
Also addressed Goa BJP Karyakartas. Assured them that there is a Government in Delhi that they will be very proud of!
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 14, 2014
Time has come to take tough decisions in the interest of the nation. Whatever decisions we take will be solely guided by national interest.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 14, 2014
Told Karyakartas that we should create an Organisation where every person feels- yes there is a place for me here. That will be our success.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 14, 2014
Earlier in the day, PM Narendra Modi dedicated India`s largest warship INS Vikramaditya to the nation off Goa coast in Arabian Sea and pitched for making the country self-reliant in manufacturing defence equipment, shedding dependence on imports.
In his first outing after taking charge as Prime Minister, he addressed the Naval personnel onboard the ship off Goa coast, calling the addition of the warship to the force as a "historic" step.
"Our government has the potential to match anyone in the world and the reason for this is the capability of our soldiers who give us the strength to do so," he said in his address, adding that the country intends to move forward in the same manner, without lowering its eyes.
With agency inputs
